Black car care suggestions please.

D

devilsown

New member
I just purchased a mitsubishi evo that is black. The previous owner told me that the dealer before shipping the car to him did some sort of treatment to the exterior similar to what i think some detail shops do. Kinda like a long term "you shouldn't have to wax for a year" sort of thing.



So I took possession of it last night and today began getting the exterior up to my level of clean. Once I got into it, I realized this owner wasn't as careful as he thought he was. I found numerous light hairline scratches over the entire car, and also when I was drying it you see what I would call phantom water spots. Like there was a water spot there at some time, but after it dries you can't see it anymore kind of thing.



Anyways, I washed with dawn, clayed, dried, and started to do zaino Z-5, but i really just was not happy about how it was going on, for one, it seemed like the car wasn't "taking it so much" and when i went to take it off, it was a ***** to get off, had to use some z-7 spritzed on and then buff like crazy.



All in all, I only got one coat on cuz I was sick of it, and i figure I'm going to have to use some sort of abrasive polish anyways to get the hair line scratches out, so here's my question(s).



1. What my easiest and best bet at good results on those scratches out and make sure I got rid of whatever that dealer put on before delivery?



2. I personally like the polymers just from a durability standpoint, but I'm not feeling Zaino right now, but maybe that's because of what's on there from the dealer? I dunno.... Is there anything else out there polymer based that goes on like i'm used to with zaino and lasts like it too?



That's all I have for now, I swear, this is my first and may be my last black car if I can't get this right....

Gimme some help guys! :-D
 
dnyhof



you might want to use a polish to remove the hairlines. I used Menzerna IP/FP on my black. It will also remove the *coating* the dealer put on and leave a smooth base for the Zaino.



Just a suggestion.
 
I would definitely ditch the Z5 for some Meguiars Swirl Free Polish #82, or even DACP if you feel the scratching is more severe. Then go over the car with a good polish or glaze. I like Vanilla Moose or Poorboy's Polish w/Carnauba. Then go over the car with a good topper such as NXT wax, Carnauba Moose Wax, or S100. You will see very good result with that combo!
 
DACP - Menzerna IP - Menzerna FP - Clearkote Vanilla Moose or P21S GEPC - Z7 wash - Z5 x 3-5 and Z2 x 2 ( Z6 between coats).

All with PC except Zaino application.

I hope you have a garage because this will take about a week of evenings to do it properly (patiently)



It is ALL in the PREP.:wavey
 
Should I really stick with Zaino yet or is there a better polymer out there for black cars? I can't remember which way it was for Zaino that they were really good on dark colors or not so great. I am getting ready to do the menzerna products for sure though, just need to decide on a finishing product.
 
Its durability hasn't been proven yet but meguiars nxt or 4 star ultimate paint protection seems to be a good polymers on black. never tried them though. 1z glanz wax was also better looking(and much easier to work with) than Zaino to me. I personally prefer carnubas on black though. VM + souveran(or carnuba moose) is my favorite.



if you're already this frustated with the imperfections in black, then it probably os not the color for you as you'll be in for alot of work.
 
Here's another black car with Zaino. I've tried Souveran, P21s, #7 or IHG and Souveran or P21s, Mothers, Meguiars, Liquid Glass, etc. and still prefer Zaino.



z.jpg
 
You'll read many different approaches...



I have great success on black cars.



I don't use Zaino. I'm a huge fan of the Klasse Twins, wth a carnauba topper.



I'll remind you that the paint prep is MORE important than the wax/sealant.



Trust me, the Dealer applied sealant will not last any longer than off-the-shelf Walmart stuff.



Here's the way to go:



(CHECK BACK in 2/3 days for some cool Porsche/Miata BLACK pics)



ValuGard's A-B-C three step chemical bath.

Clay the entire surface, plenty of lube, over and over, on every square inch!



Medium cut polish (DACP) with wool pad on rotary at 1200 RPM.



Machine Glaze/polish (try to avoid fillers-AutoMagic #76 G-1) with foam polish pad on PC at #5.



PC applied Klasse AIO. Panel by panel.



PC applied Klasse Sealant Glaze. As thin as possible. I say again: As thin as possible.



Wait one hour.



Remove with Microfiber towel and minimal QD.



Wait 24 hours.



PC applied Klasse Sealant Glaze. As thin as possible. I say again: As thin as possible.



Remove with Microfiber towel and minimal QD.



Wait 24 hours.



Apply carnauba topper (P21S/S100/Souveran?

Polish briskly with Microfiber and QD.



Repeat.



This will make you go out in the garage late at night and drool over your car.



Guaranteed!



Jim
 
That Vette looks stunning! I am doing a black 2002 Z06 on Thursday that has a 383 stroker motor. He just ran a 11.4@126.75 today! I will post pics after I detail it!
 
Ok, you guys have convinced me, i'm sticking with zaino. I'd rather do that since I use it on my other two cars anyways with good success. However, after taking possession of this Evo I'm seeing first hand how a neglected car really needs that paint prep prior to anything else. When I got my nsx, the previous owner was already anal about detailing it and used zaino products so that was an easy continuation, this evo however is another story. I'm gonna order some menzerna stuff and see how that comes out.



Also, how many times do you all use your pads on your cars (Zaino users only answer please)? I wash mine out by hand with a ton of dawn when they're still wet yet, and let air dry, they just look horrible from the staining on the Z-5 on a white pad, so i'm kinda curious.



Thanks for all the replies so far.
 
As long as the pad's texture and structure is not altered the pad is okay with discoloration.

I suggest that you do your polishing with a cutting pad. Something like TOL (top-of-the-line) yellow (7.5") pad. Really works well with DACP and Menzerna IP. The white pad is good for the FP. I would apply the Zaino, if by PC, with a grey/black TOL pad.

Your cleaning procedure is fine but be careful if you are using ZFX. I have notice that any residual not washed out of pad with harden the foam. :wavey
 
It appears that you have already decided to go with Zaino, but in my opinion, it's hard to beat BLACKFIRE on a black car. For a little extra depth top it with a good carnauba wax.



Tom
 
COBRyan said:
That Vette looks stunning! I am doing a black 2002 Z06 on Thursday that has a 383 stroker motor. He just ran a 11.4@126.75 today! I will post pics after I detail it!
Click to expand...



Can you say traction limited? :p



Better launch could probably get 11 flat with that trap speed!
 
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